Beckham out of World Cup

[papereyes]

I wasn't sure of the significance of 39 appearances - so, imo, 6 seasons gave a better indication of how long he'd been buzzing around the squad. Wiki also rather helpfully adds that 8 of those goals came as pairs, suggesting he fills his boots when he gets the chance.

I can't see it being Agbonlahor now, he's had his chance.

If there's a surplus of decent wide attacking midfielders, then drop the striker and send along someone who can play in a number of positions. Walcott, Milner etc.

[TBM]

I wasn't sure of the significance of 39 appearances - so, imo, 6 seasons gave a better indication of how long he'd been buzzing around the squad. Wiki also rather helpfully adds that 8 of those goals came as pairs, suggesting he fills his boots when he gets the chance.

I can't see it being Agbonlahor now, he's had his chance.

If there's a surplus of decent wide attacking midfielders, then drop the striker and send along someone who can play in a number of positions. Walcott, Milner etc.

Yeah i agree but did include those in my squad (previous page) - you just have to have someone like Defoe in the squad for the simple fact if Rooney gets injured you need a "similar" replacement

[papereyes]

My hunch would have been to give Zamora a go in the recent friendlies.

[FiNeRaIn]

Anyone else think Ac Milan have acted with complete class the last few days, from manager right through to board room. I must say I was indifferent to most italian teams but I really think i've got a soft spot for them now. What dignity and class they've displayed.

[cmonurz]

I'm pretty sure Defoe has the best minutes per goal of any current England striker. Can't find the stats now, I think he was marginally ahead of Crouch. Iirc, his caps equate to something around 20 full games, so 11 goals isn't a bad return.

[RoyalChicagoFC]

Don't put very much stock in such stats

Andorra, T&T and Kazakhstan aren't headed anyplace near to South Africa

[cmonurz]

Macedonia 1
Liechenstein 1
Denmark 2
Iceland 2
Switzerland 2
Croatia 4
Argentina 1
Holland 1
Estonia 1
Russia 1
Kazakhstan 3
Belarus 2
Slovakia 2
Andorra 2

I've never really liked that argument. ^^ That's Rooney's international goals. Argies and Holland were friendlies, which just leaves Croatia for a significant team really.

[RoyalChicagoFC]

Fair do's --just a spot of fun

Why the consensus thumbs down on Gabby, I wonder

[Wimb]

Macedonia 1
Liechenstein 1
Denmark 2
Iceland 2
Switzerland 2
Croatia 4
Argentina 1
Holland 1
Estonia 1
Russia 1
Kazakhstan 3
Belarus 2
Slovakia 2
Andorra 2

I've never really liked that argument. ^^ That's Rooney's international goals. Argies and Holland were friendlies, which just leaves Croatia for a significant team really.

Agree with urz, with the current system of seeded qualifiers how often do we play competitive games against the best in the world? Even in the group stages of the EC and WC you generally get a bad team or two.

And FriendLOLies are a massive joke now, which is one of the biggest reasons I'd like the Home Internationals back, at least there's pride to play for.

[papereyes]

Macedonia 1
Liechenstein 1
Denmark 2
Iceland 2
Switzerland 2
Croatia 4
Argentina 1
Holland 1
Estonia 1
Russia 1
Kazakhstan 3
Belarus 2
Slovakia 2
Andorra 2

I've never really liked that argument. ^^ That's Rooney's international goals. Argies and Holland were friendlies, which just leaves Croatia for a significant team really.

Russia was a competitive game in a group that Russia qualified from at the expense of England
I'd suggest Denmark as well.

[papereyes]

Fair do's --just a spot of fun

Why the consensus thumbs down on Gabby, I wonder

(slightly OTT on my part but ... you get my point)

[Silver Fox]

If England take Defoe, then they may as well give up at the QF stage. The very definition of flat track bully.

Would you have CarLOLton CoLOLe instead then?

Better option than Heskey to be honest mate. Why have you included him in your squad? Because "Rooney likes playing with him"?

The bloke has scored something like six goals in sixty internationals. For a centre-forward of any standard, that is truly awful.

Even if you're one of the swiftly dwindling group that still fails to appreciate what Heskey does you must surely be aware that he is not only going to South Africa but that he'll be starting the first game?

FWIW why has Darren Bent been forgotten as the 4th striker? He can't do any worse than Defoe and the truth is that it's going to be Rooney and Heskey (or Crouch) and if the spud faced nipper isn't playing England won't do very well, whoever replaces him

[Thomas L'Heureux]

Would you have CarLOLton CoLOLe instead then?

Better option than Heskey to be honest mate. Why have you included him in your squad? Because "Rooney likes playing with him"?

The bloke has scored something like six goals in sixty internationals. For a centre-forward of any standard, that is truly awful.

Even if you're one of the swiftly dwindling group that still fails to appreciate what Heskey does you must surely be aware that he is not only going to South Africa but that he'll be starting the first game?

FWIW why has Darren Bent been forgotten as the 4th striker? He can't do any worse than Defoe and the truth is that it's going to be Rooney and Heskey (or Crouch) and if the spud faced nipper isn't playing England won't do very well, whoever replaces him

If you mean did I boo him in the FA Cup game, then no, I didn't. I think Heskey is a fairly solid Premiership footballer but nothing more than that. His goal scoring record is particularly poor for a centre-forward, and no matter how much work you do across the pitch, that's ultimately what you'll be judged on when playing in that position and anyone trying to argue otherwise is deluded.

And yes, I do realise he'll be going to South Africa, but my comment was at TBMers smirking at Carlton Cole - a player capable of doing the Heskey role whilst also being more of a threat to the opposition's goal (I admit he's yet to score for his country but his chances have been limited thus far).

[frimmers3]

i bet a few wish gareth bale was english....

[soggy biscuit]

i bet a few wish gareth bale was english....

I bet Gareth Bale does.

LOLZ @ Spurs fans slagging him off since he joined until just a few weeks ago

[RoyalChicagoFC]

LOLZ @ Spurs fans

You had me right there

[Silver Fox]

i bet a few wish gareth bale was english....

Why?

[FiNeRaIn]

Carlton cole was quality against holland, can't understand the LOL's.

[papereyes]

i bet a few wish gareth bale was english....

Sheep, mostly.

[RoyalChicagoFC]

Ba-aaa ha ha ha!